Tag Archives: mental health

Challenge #19: Spend 10 minutes visioning yourself 10 years from now as having accomplished one of your biggest dreams. Be as detailed as possible; imagine in all five senses.

It’s the 4th of July, 2021. Everyone around me says it’s hotter than hell, but I think it feels perfect in my flow-y knee length skirt and short-sleeved blouse. But my body temperature is always lower than normal peoples’, so perhaps they’re right. I thought having kids would change that, but alas it did not. I still get goosebumps in 80° weather.

I’m standing in Spring Mobile Ballpark in Salt Lake City, Ut: home of the Bees minor league baseball team. I look up in the stands to see my husband and three children waving their hot dogs at me. Though the dust kicked up by the ball players tickles my nose, I can almost smell the hot dogs from here and it makes me smile. Not because I like hot dogs – I hate them – but because my kids love them.

All around I hear music and laughter. The sights and sounds of the crowd do nothing to ease my nerves. No matter how much water I drink my mouth still feels dry – and that has nothing to do with the weather.

They tell me it’s time. I’m handed a microphone and grow nauseous. I look to my husband for support. He smiles that smile that made me fall in love with him, gives me the thumbs up, and mouths “I love you.” I immediately feel stronger. As the announcer instructs the crowd to stand for the National Anthem, I say a quick prayer.

The music begins. My voice sounds as it never has before – so clear and powerful. My heart is racing – not from anxiety, but from excitement. I feel as though the whole world has stopped just to hear me sing. As I hit the last high note (and hold it for an insane amount of time) the crowd cheers louder than I’m sure they will during the game. The song ends. Immediately my eyes find my family again. My children are screaming and clapping enthusiastically. Holding up our 3 year old, my husband smiles and wipes a tear from his cheek. Now I begin crying, too.

I feel a push. As I realize they’re trying to get me off the field, I race for the stands to sit with my family. I’m so happy, I even eat a hot dog!

Today after work I went to the Salt Lake City Temple. I love going there, and I used to go every week. This month I’ve rededicated myself to doing that. Going today was a gift to myself and others, and it’s a gift I’m privileged to give and receive as often as I wish. I’m excited to make the temple a natural part of my week again! Then I went home and Stacey and I watched “Big Bang Theory” while scarfing Red Vines. What bliss!

NYPD Pizzeria in West Valley, UT

Thursday, June 30, 2011

This evening after one job, before another, I met up with one of my most favorite old roommates – Darci. We went to NYPD Pizzeria. I’ve been dying to try it! According to their website, “NYPD Pizza was established in 1996 out of necessity when native New Yorker Paul Russo was unable to find authentic New York style pizza after moving to Orlando, Florida. ” I went to New York 2 years ago with my BFF Dawn and our other great friend Cindy to celebrate our 30th birthdays. We tried New York style pizza at 3 different restaurants. (I mean, of course we did!) We loved it! And I have to say that NYPD does an excellent job of fooling you into thinking you really are eating pizza from New York! I say “fooling” because unless they import New York’s tap water – which is actually awesome and the reason baked goods in New York are so awesome – then it’s not truly authentic. But I appreciate their effort, and I really loved it a lot and will go again!

Alas, June only has 30 days: “Thirty days hath September, April, June, and November.” So I’m done celebrating my birthday, but that doesn’t mean I’m done treating myself like the completely wonderful person that I am ;)

Today I completed my second 3-D puzzle – Lady Liberty – that Dawn got me for my birthday. Then later as I pondered how it’s finally feeling like Summer… I had a nice big mug of hot chocolate!

Monday, June 27, 2011

Tonight I went to a silent auction for church. The money goes to the family we’ll be sponsoring this Christmas for Sub for Santa. So I brought $20 to donate. Whether or not I won anything I was still going to donate my money, but in order to celebrate myself I was determined to win something. So for my twenty bucks I got tennis lessons provided by a super athletic guy who I’ve only exchanged pleasantries with once. I really like tennis so I’m really excited for this. I’m hoping I can learn to serve overhand… you know… the way you’re supposed to serve… never been able to do that…

Earrings by Crystal Moosman

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Tonight I received 3 beautiful pairs of earrings a friend of mine made for me. She makes and sells jewelry on the side and she knows my absolute love for earrings. She’s hoping to get a webpage up soon so she can advertise, and when she does I will let the world know!

Only two more days to celebrate, then I’m back to annihilating Adultitis!

Today I began feeling better than I had felt previously, but it was such a full day that I almost forgot to celebrate myself. I taught a training class that night and one of the participants asked me if she could buy me something from the 7-11 during the break. Normally I don’t take advantage of nice people when they offer to buy me stuff (unless I’m on a date) but I decided to consider it a birthday present. Since I was thoroughly parched I simply asked for a bottle of water. It was VERY much appreciated :)

Friday, June 24, 2011

After a very long week, I ordered myself a pizza from Domino’s – which has become my favorite since they changed their recipe – and had a good, relaxing night in.

Stacey's holding the thingy that lets the servers know if you want them to keep bringing on the meat or just let you digest for a bit.

Saturday, June 25, 2011

After a super awesome 6 mile run, I went to Tucano’s for my first time for lunch. My mom, stepdad, and “baby” sister took me. At Tucano’s you can sign up to receive a free meal during your birthday month. I can’t even describe how much fun this place is. You don’t order anything from a menu except your drink. Then you go to the salad bar and load up on whatever you want, but you shouldn’t load up too much, otherwise you’ll be too full for the best, which is yet to come. As you’re eating, servers come around with various kinds, cuts and flavors of meats. You pick what you want and they put it on your plate. They do this in a circuit, so if you feel like that bacon-wrapped turkey was simply amazing and you’ve got to have more, just wait!

This is the tambourine they gave me during my chair dance. The waitress very kindly let us pose with it.

They’ll be bringing more around. The sweet and spicy chicken was one of my favorites, as was the grilled pineapple (I know, pineapple is not a meat. But still). Toward the end of the meal, some of the waitresses and waiters came out clapping their hands and banging drums. They came to my table, asked me to stand on my chair, and handed me a tambourine. Then they did a little birthday chant as I shook the tambourine while trying not to fall off the chair. It was really fun! But we didn’t think until later that it could have been digitally captured in either picture or video form. Sad not to have that, but Stacey and I got some pictures after.

I had read on Kim & Jason’s blog about rules that don’t apply and Jason posed the question “Will you notice any [rules that don’t apply] today in your life?” After buying some essentials for my upcoming half marathon, I found myself at Sam’s Club looking at surprisingly cute shoes. My instinct told me this:

“You need some black ones because your last pair of black flats broke. You don’t need any that are in the brown or white family because you already have some. Black, brown, white. All the shoe colors you need.”

I told my instinct this: “Says who?”

I did end up buying the black ones because I really did need them. But I also bought some purple ones! Why? Why not? Take THAT, Adultitis!

Today I left work a half hour early. I spread a blanket out on a field of grass and read a book. Then I took a nap.

Saturday, June 18, 2011

This morning I needed to run 5 miles for my half marathon training, but the women from church organized a 5k. So I woke up early and ran 2 miles before the 5k, then ran the 5k. There were about 30 of us and I came in 2nd! Later in the day I went to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple. That night I went with one of my old roommates to see the musical “Civil War.” That was a dual birthday celebration because her birthday was last week.

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Today at church they handed out cupcakes for everyone who had a birthday in June. So sweet!

Mmm! Pie!

Monday, June 20, 2011

Today I ate dessert first during lunch AND dinner!

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Tonight I got myself a Reese’s Peanut Butter Shake.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Today I was supposed to have lunch with a friend I haven’t seen in a while, but she over-scheduled herself :( On top of that, I’m coming down with a cold so I haven’t really felt much like figuring out some way to celebrate, especially since I’ve been working all day and still have to work tonight. However, my BFF found a super sweet deal on airline tickets so I booked my flight for California for October when her firstborn get baptized and her almost-born gets blessed! Can’t wait for that!

Tonight I ate all the chocolate in my candy jar while diving into season 2 of “The Big Bang Theory.”

The Looking Glass Wars

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

This evening 2 of my sisters took me to Olive Garden for dinner. They told the waiter it was my birthday, but Olive Garden is cheap – not due to their food prices, but due to their lack of a celebratory flare. So no free dessert and loud annoying song. But the waiter did try to be a bit creative. He brought me a plate filled with Andes mints. The mint in the very center had a candle stuck into it. I wish I took a picture! The best part? I tried unsuccessfully to blow the candle out. So the waiter teased me that it was a trick candle. I finally huffed and puffed and blew that candle out, spraying wax all over as I did so. Good times! Thanks Stace and Les!

"Life's too short. I'm not." - Kristin Chenoweth

Thursday, June 16, 2011

After work I decided that to celebrate today I would buy a new book and read it at the park. And why not get some ice cream on the way? I bought “The Looking Glass Wars” trilogy at the suggestion of my dear old friend Ike, then got a shake at Maggie Moo’s. Well after I went to Barnes and Noble, I never made it to the park, due to an unexpected communication with a new friend of mine that led me instead to meet up with him at yet another Barnes and Noble – where I bought Kristin Chenoweth’s autobiography – and a Cold Stone Creamery. Can’t have too much ice cream, right?

This evening I went to a driving range to attempt to hit golf balls. My attempts proved successful in that I hit the balls. I may have only sent some far enough to be considered a “good shot”, but my friend who went with me said my form kept improving. I had a lot of fun! Then I had dinner at Cafe Rio, then to see the new Spielberg movie “Super 8.” I didn’t know anything about the movie before I saw it, and it was great going into a show having no preconceived notions and really enjoying it! My favorite line from the movie: “Drugs are SO bad!” (You kinda have to hear the line in context to understand why it’s my favorite.)

Saturday, June 11, 2011

This evening I went to a karaoke party. Most people make it a point to sing poorly when they do karaoke. Not me. Just can’t do it. So I brought along my “Wicked” karaoke cd and rocked my friends’ socks on “The Wizard and I.” Ah, I love to sing!

Sunday, June 12, 2011

This evening I had my second birthday dinner at my mom’s house. We had spaghetti and garlic bread and my mom did a great job on my al dente noodles – usually she cooks the noodles too long for my liking. We also watched “Philadelphia Story” together.

Monday, June 13, 2011

Today I took a short nap after work, then I set on building a puzzle that my BFF Dawn got me for my birthday. It’s a 3D model of the Empire State Building! She also got me the Statue of Liberty, but I haven’t put her together yet. Both puzzles will be great additions to the New York City theme I’ve got going on in my bedroom.

I’m a little nervous that I’m running out of ideas of things to do to celebrate myself this month. I would love some suggestions!